CBEF Linking Citizens To County Budgets
Updated on: Jan 20, 2021
County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) is formed in line with section 137 of the Public Finance Management Act 2012.
Laikipia is among the few counties which have so far managed to form this committee that focuses on the right discussions on overall estimates of revenue, spending and deficit of each economic sector of the economy. The committee also bases its discussions on county priorities to inform major plans.
CBEF ensures proper public engagements in matters budgeting in the county.
Composition
As a requirement of the law, the Forum comprises eight members drawn from outside the county government staffs owing to the requirement for the equal number of CECs in the county. The eight members come from different groups that make up the population of Laikipia citizenry- youth, people living with disability, business people, the elderly, and the clergy.
The non-county staff members of CBEF in Laikipia are; Ms Doris Gatwiri Mworia, Mr Johnson Kipkosgei Cheruiyot, Ms Elizabeth Wanjiru Kiondo, Ms Emma Kaburo Kirima, Mr Henry Machira Muguongo, Mr Patrick Leresi Karrmushu, Mr David Gathuka Ndiritu, and Mr Lemarieni James Ntungulo.
On the government side, the committee comprises all the CECMs, the County Secretary, the Deputy Governor and the Governor who sits as the chairperson.
The formation of such a committee helps in all budgetary matters of the devolved unit, while at the same time bringing together the views of the public in equal measures as the government. The equal number of the non-state actors to the number of state actors ensure that there is equal representation. All committee members have equal voting rights.
The formation of the Forum also ensures that not only the devolved unit make accurate and achievable budgets, but also make the right priorities when it comes to implementation.
A County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) is an important tool for facilitating public participation at the county level.
The major function of the County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) is to facilitate public participation in the budget process at the county level.
In Laikipia County, the special Forum serves as the major mechanism for the public to participate in the budget process and public finances. The eight members act as the first people in various economic representations to drive and shape how the county budget should be, owing to the large groups they represent.
Through the formation of the Forum in Laikipia there has been a facilitation in improvement of the coordination between the citizens and government and also improvement in the harmonization of project implementation and funding.
Public participation is a requirement by the Kenyan constitution before any government embarks on any activity that has impacts on the citizens. Holding of public participation helps the government in doing what the citizens need and feel is their priority. This saves tax payers money which would otherwise have been lost if the government heavily invested in a project that is of no value to the public.
As a demonstration of taking the views of Laikipia residents seriously, the county government has a directorate exclusively dealing with public participation. There also exist an Act in Laikipia government on Public participation- something that makes the county to stand out among the 47 devolved units.
Transparency
In a survey carried out towards the end of last year by International Budget Partnership (IBP) counties transparency on budget transparency, only Laikipia and another county had offered the right transparency on all budget matters. the survey found out that Laikipia county displays all the required documents on the county website which shows the utmost level of transparency.
Laikipia is among the few counties which have so far managed to form this committee that focuses on the right discussions on overall estimates of revenue, spending and deficit of each economic sector of the economy. The committee also bases its discussions on county priorities to inform major plans.
CBEF ensures proper public engagements in matters budgeting in the county.
Composition
As a requirement of the law, the Forum comprises eight members drawn from outside the county government staffs owing to the requirement for the equal number of CECs in the county. The eight members come from different groups that make up the population of Laikipia citizenry- youth, people living with disability, business people, the elderly, and the clergy.
The non-county staff members of CBEF in Laikipia are; Ms Doris Gatwiri Mworia, Mr Johnson Kipkosgei Cheruiyot, Ms Elizabeth Wanjiru Kiondo, Ms Emma Kaburo Kirima, Mr Henry Machira Muguongo, Mr Patrick Leresi Karrmushu, Mr David Gathuka Ndiritu, and Mr Lemarieni James Ntungulo.
On the government side, the committee comprises all the CECMs, the County Secretary, the Deputy Governor and the Governor who sits as the chairperson.
The formation of such a committee helps in all budgetary matters of the devolved unit, while at the same time bringing together the views of the public in equal measures as the government. The equal number of the non-state actors to the number of state actors ensure that there is equal representation. All committee members have equal voting rights.
The formation of the Forum also ensures that not only the devolved unit make accurate and achievable budgets, but also make the right priorities when it comes to implementation.
A County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) is an important tool for facilitating public participation at the county level.
The major function of the County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) is to facilitate public participation in the budget process at the county level.
In Laikipia County, the special Forum serves as the major mechanism for the public to participate in the budget process and public finances. The eight members act as the first people in various economic representations to drive and shape how the county budget should be, owing to the large groups they represent.
Through the formation of the Forum in Laikipia there has been a facilitation in improvement of the coordination between the citizens and government and also improvement in the harmonization of project implementation and funding.
Public participation is a requirement by the Kenyan constitution before any government embarks on any activity that has impacts on the citizens. Holding of public participation helps the government in doing what the citizens need and feel is their priority. This saves tax payers money which would otherwise have been lost if the government heavily invested in a project that is of no value to the public.
As a demonstration of taking the views of Laikipia residents seriously, the county government has a directorate exclusively dealing with public participation. There also exist an Act in Laikipia government on Public participation- something that makes the county to stand out among the 47 devolved units.
Transparency
In a survey carried out towards the end of last year by International Budget Partnership (IBP) counties transparency on budget transparency, only Laikipia and another county had offered the right transparency on all budget matters. the survey found out that Laikipia county displays all the required documents on the county website which shows the utmost level of transparency.
